Destination guide
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park
বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিব সাফারি পার্ক
The safari park closest to Dhaka — and the rule here is reversed: the animals roam free while people stay caged inside a bus. Riders almost universally agree that the Core Safari bus passing tigers, lions and deer up close is an experience you cannot get anywhere else in the country. Next to it, the walkable Safari Kingdom has macaw and parrot aviaries, an aquarium gallery, a butterfly garden, a natural history museum and a hanging bridge.
History & significance
It opened in 2013 inside the Bhawal Garh sal forest, in the Maona area of Sreepur. Many travellers note it was modelled on Thailand's Safari World. Accounts differ on the size — some say 3,690 acres, others 3,810 — but everyone agrees it is enormous.
How to get there
From Dhaka, take any Mymensingh-bound bus from Mahakhali, Gabtoli or Saidabad and get off at Bagher Bazar — about 100-120 taka, roughly 2.5 hours. From there a shared auto or easy-bike reaches the gate (about 3 km) for 20 taka. The other route is via Gazipur Chowrasta: 80 taka from Gulistan, then a Takwa Paribahan local bus to Bagher Bazar for 30-40 taka. With your own car, enter via Bhabanipur road — the U-turn is closer.
Entry fee
৳10–50 · traveller-reported
Adult entry 50 taka, under-12s 20, students 10 with ID, under-6 free; foreign visitors pay 1,000 taka. The Core Safari bus is separate — 150 taka for adults, 50 for children and students. A Safari Kingdom package covering 5 attractions costs 100 taka, the hanging bridge 10, the 9D cinema 100.
Opening hours & best time
Open 10:00 to 17:00, closed every Tuesday. Go early in the day — after noon the tigers and lions tend to settle down for naps.
Best time
A winter morning is best — animals move around more in the cool. Fridays and holidays bring heavy crowds and long Core Safari queues; midweek visits are nearly empty.
Traveller tips
Do the Core Safari first — arrive by 10:00 and the queue stays short.
Front seats on the safari bus give the best views.
Skip Friday (and remember Tuesday is closed) — midweek is the sweet spot.
Lions and tigers may be far away or asleep — several travellers call it luck-dependent; a zoom lens helps.
Toilets and food stalls inside are limited — sort yourself out near the gate.